The title for this post sounds a touch melodramatic, I know, but I started this blog back in June 2013 with nothing more than a URL and a Smiths lyric, so it kind of feels like a natural way to bring Books with Bunny to a close.
Yes, the time has come for me to officially say goodbye to this blog. I've not posted in months now, mainly because although I'm still reading (and reading brilliant books that deserve shouting about) I've been busy writing my own books. Over the past two years I've written three novels and two novellas, and am currently beavering away on a fourth book which I hope will be the first of a trilogy. Put simply, my focus has shifted and the time I dedicated to blogging is now devoted to crafting fiction.
There's a tinge of sadness ebbing within me as I write this post, because this blog has been a huge part of my life. Really huge.
It gave me purpose when I was at my most poorly.
It brought me friendships with fellow bibliophiles, authors and readers alike.
It drew me into a circle of wonderful bloggers who are passionate about books (and subsequently trebled the amount of books on my TBR pile).
It gave me the confidence to organise and co-ordinate online events such as #HIFortnight and the #HIReadathon.
Also, it was through blogging that I first met Charlotte Ledger, commissioning editor at HarperImpulse - the very person who offered me my first publishing contract.
I have dearly loved Books with Bunny, but the time is right to say goodbye. Instead of blog posts here I'll be sharing the book love on my social media channels (see below) and hope to use my author blog (which you can find here) to talk about what I've been reading as well as my writing projects.
Thank you to all the readers, bloggers, publishers and authors who've supported Books with Bunny over the past four and a bit years, whether that's been by sending ARCs, giving exclusive content, retweeting reviews (the day Johnny Marr replied to my tweet about his autobiography was the ultimate highlight), leaving comments or sharing recommendations of 'must read' books.
It's been a pleasure. Please don't be a stranger.
Twitter - @katey5678
Instagram - @katey5678
Facebook - www.facebook.com/kateylovell
Website - www.kateylovell.blogspot.co.uk
xxx
Wednesday, 2 August 2017
Monday, 6 March 2017
What I Read... February 2017
Love at Second Sight - Cathy Hopkins
A cute romantic read about teenager Jo's search for the boy she fell in love with in a past life. I loved the London setting, especially the rich imagery of Highgate Cemetery.
If you enjoy light-hearted YA, this could be one for you.
Unknown Pleasures - Inside Joy Division - Peter Hook
This is a difficult one to review, because although I read the whole thing within 24 hours, I didn't find it easy.
The opening sections were probably my favourite, where he's going to punk gigs and first taking a serious interest in music. These sections also capture a sense of Manchester and the north in the late 1970s and make fascinating reading.
There was a lot of the dry humour I'd expected, and Hooky doesn't hold back with his opinions which makes it feel as though he's sharing his secrets directly with the reader. The stories of Joy Division on the road and in the studio were interesting, and the recollections of individual performances were entertaining and evocative, but the way he writes about the dynamic within the band creates the tension that made this a compulsive (and at times draining) read.
This volume of Peter Hook's memoir was always going to be very much about Ian Curtis and I found myself waiting uncomfortably for the section I knew was coming - Ian's death. I liked how Hooky went to great pains to paint the Ian Curtis he knew - someone who was one of the lads, and at times downright crude. Everyone knows about the epilepsy, the affair, the suicide, the artsy Ian... the way he's been frozen in time by the fans and the media. Hearing what he was actually like from bandmate makes him more 3D somehow, less of a caricature.
I'm definitely going to read the New Order book very soon and imagine that'll be equally as gripping (if not moreso to me personally as that's the music I prefer).
The opening sections were probably my favourite, where he's going to punk gigs and first taking a serious interest in music. These sections also capture a sense of Manchester and the north in the late 1970s and make fascinating reading.
There was a lot of the dry humour I'd expected, and Hooky doesn't hold back with his opinions which makes it feel as though he's sharing his secrets directly with the reader. The stories of Joy Division on the road and in the studio were interesting, and the recollections of individual performances were entertaining and evocative, but the way he writes about the dynamic within the band creates the tension that made this a compulsive (and at times draining) read.
This volume of Peter Hook's memoir was always going to be very much about Ian Curtis and I found myself waiting uncomfortably for the section I knew was coming - Ian's death. I liked how Hooky went to great pains to paint the Ian Curtis he knew - someone who was one of the lads, and at times downright crude. Everyone knows about the epilepsy, the affair, the suicide, the artsy Ian... the way he's been frozen in time by the fans and the media. Hearing what he was actually like from bandmate makes him more 3D somehow, less of a caricature.
I'm definitely going to read the New Order book very soon and imagine that'll be equally as gripping (if not moreso to me personally as that's the music I prefer).
The Unmumsy Mum - Sarah Turner
I'm not sure if part of the reason this didn't speak to me as much as it has some of my friends is because I'm well past the baby stage.
There were definitely scenes from their family life I could relate to, and I did find myself giggling along at the comments about the challenges of parenthood, but personally I feel the short, sharp blog posts have more of an impact than a full-length book.
There were definitely scenes from their family life I could relate to, and I did find myself giggling along at the comments about the challenges of parenthood, but personally I feel the short, sharp blog posts have more of an impact than a full-length book.
This Beats Perfect - Rebecca Denton
Amelie doesn't like boybands. She'd rather be listening to her diverse collection of original vinyl. However, because of her dad's job in the music industry, she finds herself surrounded by the biggest pop band of the moment 'The Keep'.
This is a book I'd been really looking forward to, and it was a quick YA read. The plot wasn't complex, but didn't need to be as it was still very readable.
My main issue was that I didn't always like Amelie and her ways. Yes, she is a teenager, but she came across as a bit brattish at times. However, I really liked the character Maxx and his motivations and story were very believable.
I'd have loved this book in my teens and I'm sure many fangirls will be hooked by this story of romance, the music industry and being true to yourself.
This is a book I'd been really looking forward to, and it was a quick YA read. The plot wasn't complex, but didn't need to be as it was still very readable.
My main issue was that I didn't always like Amelie and her ways. Yes, she is a teenager, but she came across as a bit brattish at times. However, I really liked the character Maxx and his motivations and story were very believable.
I'd have loved this book in my teens and I'm sure many fangirls will be hooked by this story of romance, the music industry and being true to yourself.
Why Pamper Life's Complexities? - Essays on The Smiths - Ed. Sean Campbell and Colin Coulter
Interesting collection of essays relating to The Smiths and their place in society, politics and musical history.
Some essays were more interesting to me than others, with particular praise going to Joseph Brooker's ' Has the World Changed or Have I Changed?- The Smiths and the Challenge of Thatcherism', Cecelia Mello's 'I Don't Owe You Anything - The Smiths and kitchen-sink cinema' and particularly Karl Maton's 'Last Night We Dreamt that Somebody Loved Us - Smiths fans (and me) in the late 1980s'. This is partly due to the content relating to areas that appeal to my own personal interest, but also because I felt they were most accessible and original.
One area which could have been stronger for me was a wider use of sources - many essays referred to the same key interviews and lyrics which made this book repetitive at times when read as a collection.
Friday, 3 February 2017
What I Read... January 2017
I completed six books in January 2017, and they were all fantastic. Here are my thoughts...
The Legacy of Lucy Harte - Emma Heatherington
I loved this story! Maggie, the recipient of a donor heart, knows that she's not making the most of her life. A run-of-the-mill job, a brother she doesn't talk to, a fondness for drinking more than she really should...None of it is enough any more. Maggie's knows she's lost all sense of herself, but it's only when she makes contact with the family of Lucy Harte, the girl whose heart she was gifted seventeen years ago, that she truly realised how little living she's actually been doing.
It was an absolute pleasure to follow Maggie on her journey, and Emma Heatherington has done a brilliant job in balancing a serious (and at times heavy) plot with witty one-liners. The Irish flavour will appeal to fans of Marian Keyes and there's overseas travel for those readers with wanderlust. There's a hint of romance, but this is as much a love story between Maggie and Lucy as it is between her and the potential partners.
If you're looking for a January read which will inspire you to live for the moment, The Legacy of Lucy Harte could be it.
Under Rose-Tainted Skies - Louise Gornall
Although I am not agoraphobic, Under Rose-Tainted Skies brought back painful memories of my own darkest moments. I found Norah's story so easy to relate to, and I'm sure many readers who have experience of depression, anxiety or other mental health issues will recognise the awful surge of panic Norah experiences in what she feels should be 'normal' situations.
Louise Gornall's book is so very necessary as well as being beautifully written; and it's wonderful to see such an honest portrayal of a character with agoraphobia hitting the shelves (especially from an #ownvoices author). I can see why so many people have raved about this book and predict it'll be an enormous success across the water now it's been published in America.
You Know Me Well - Nina LaCour and David Levithan
Kate and Mark have been sitting next to each other in class for a whole year, but until they meet in a bar at the start of San Francisco's Pride they barely know each other.
What follows is a week-long adventure of love and friendship set against the glorious backdrop of the beautiful city of San Francisco.
It's fantastic to see a YA book with a whole cast of LGBT characters, but more than that the high hopes I had for the book were met. The plot isn't complex, but it doesn't need to be. This is the epitome of a character driven novel, and from the moment I finished the book I was left longing to know what was in store for Kate, Mark, Violet, Ryan and the rest of the gang. I really, really hope we'll get to see more of them in the future.
Radio Silence - Alice Oseman
Frances is a fan of the Universe City podcast. In fact, some might say she's more than a fan. She used the podcast as inspiration for her artwork, the one thing she has besides her A levels.
When Universe City's creator reaches out to her via the internet, Frances is shocked to discover the person behind her favourite podcast lives in close proximity.
This is a book about secrets, fandom, societal expectations and friendships. I loved the diverse, believable characters, the plot and most of all the beautiful writing. Alice Oseman - this is wonderful. Thank you.
Saturday, 3pm - Daniel Gray
A slender volume of fifty vignettes examining the everyday pleasures of life as a football fan.
Beautiful, heart-felt prose evokes a sense of nostalgia for a by-gone era whilst reminding the reader of the simple delights not yet erradicated from the modern game. From club shops to floodlights to the excitement at passing a team bus on the motorway, Daniel Gray's book is as much about society, sociology and history as it is about football.
Saturday, 3pm is a joy to read.
Set The Boy Free - Johnny Marr
Read my review here.
What have you read this year so far?
Monday, 23 January 2017
Set the Boy Free - Johnny Marr
I've been waiting a long time for this book. You can read my 'Hooray! Johnny's writing an autobiography!' post here.
I love Johnny Marr.
His life story proves that the heady combination of hard work and natural talent pays off. Set the Boy Free follows Johnny from humble beginnings on inner-city Manchester estates to global fame and acclaim. It's partly a 'rise of the underdog' tale, but it's also a love story between Marr and music. As a creative person myself, I couldn't help but be inspired by his drive, his ambition, his self-belief, and also his ability to do things his own way.
I love Johnny Marr.
His total commitment to guitar and continual desire to bettering his playing, writing and producing is obvious through his musical catalogue, and although I'm a huge fan of The Smiths, there is so much more to Johnny Marr's career. I read a review that complained there was too much music lingo in this book. Erm ... hello? This is Johnny Fuckin Marr, a man who's dedicated his whole life to music. What did you expect?!
His style and the influences he has drawn on in terms of clothes and image fascinate me. From roll-necks and beaded necklaces to well-chosen knitwear, his style has evolved yet never deviated from something that is totally 'Johnny Marr'. There's something comforting in that. Familiar. And the way Johnny talks about clothes and style in the book is highly evocative.
I love Johnny Marr.
He comes across as very introspective and self-aware, constantly reassessing what he wants from not only his career, but also other areas of his life. Reading Set the Boy Free, particularly the sections about Johnny's lifestyle change to a tee-total, marathon-running vegan, has encouraged me to think about the life I want for myself.
I love Johnny Marr.
I've always been fascinated by his relationship with wife Angie. They are a rarity - a couple who met young, knew they wanted to be together and still are over thirty years on. I loved the chance to learn more about their relationship, although the romantic in me would have liked to have more of this and also his relationship with Nile and Sonny covered in the book.
I love Johnny Marr.
I love Johnny Marr's autobiography. It's insightful and easy to read and although I'd heard a lot of the stories before, it was nice to have a chronological version of events from Johnny's viewpoint.
I love Johnny Marr.
I love Johnny Marr.
And did I mention I love Johnny Marr?!
Friday, 30 December 2016
My Favourite Reads of 2016
I've been a pretty rubbish book blogger in 2016. There have been times this year where I've come close to calling time on Books with Bunny, because my life has changed beyond measure since I wrote my first post for this blog three-and-a-half years ago. But I'm not ready to give it up yet. I still love books and reading and spreading the literary love, so although there might not be regular updates any more, this little corner of the internet will remain my bookish space into 2017 (although if you want to know what I'm reading, Twitter is the best place to find me - @katey5678).
I've read some cracking books again this year and (this is the bit I love!) it's time to share them with you - here are my favourite reads of 2016!
If you like stories about secrets within families and communities, you need to read ... A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams
If you like thought-provoking non-fiction, you need to read... Girl Up by Laura Bates
If you like sweeping romances that make your heart pang, you need to read ... Miss You by Kate Eberlen
If you like stories of friendship, roadtrips and nostalgia, you need to read ... Searching for a Silver Lining by Miranda Dickinson
If you like intriguing young adult fiction about boybands you need to read ... Songs About a Girl by Chris Russell
If you like books about forbidden love against a political backdrop, you need to read ... The Wrong Side of Right by Jenn Marie Thorne
If you like romantic books about travel and adventure, you need to read ... Just One Day by Gayle Forman
If you like uplifting books about fandom and finding yourself, you need to read Love Song by Sophia Bennett
If you like chilling psychological thrillers that will have you hooked from the off, you need to read ... Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris
If you like young adult books with a gothic influence, you need to read ... Darkmere by Helen Maslin
If you like a good old-fashioned mystery stories or books set at boarding schools, you need to read ... Jolly Foul Play by Robin Stevens
If you like amusing manga about misfits and obsessives, you need to read ... Princess Jellyfish by Akiko Higashimura
If you like romcom books with an original twist, you need to read ... Please Retweet by Emily Benet
If you like your romance kooky with a hint of spooky, you need to read ... Melody Bittersweet and the Girls' Ghostbusting Agency by Kitty French
What have you read and loved this year? I'd love you to share your favourite reads in the comments!
I've read some cracking books again this year and (this is the bit I love!) it's time to share them with you - here are my favourite reads of 2016!
If you like stories about secrets within families and communities, you need to read ... A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams
If you like thought-provoking non-fiction, you need to read... Girl Up by Laura Bates
If you like sweeping romances that make your heart pang, you need to read ... Miss You by Kate Eberlen
If you like stories of friendship, roadtrips and nostalgia, you need to read ... Searching for a Silver Lining by Miranda Dickinson
If you like intriguing young adult fiction about boybands you need to read ... Songs About a Girl by Chris Russell
If you like books about forbidden love against a political backdrop, you need to read ... The Wrong Side of Right by Jenn Marie Thorne
If you like romantic books about travel and adventure, you need to read ... Just One Day by Gayle Forman
If you like uplifting books about fandom and finding yourself, you need to read Love Song by Sophia Bennett
If you like young adult books with a gothic influence, you need to read ... Darkmere by Helen Maslin
If you like a good old-fashioned mystery stories or books set at boarding schools, you need to read ... Jolly Foul Play by Robin Stevens
If you like amusing manga about misfits and obsessives, you need to read ... Princess Jellyfish by Akiko Higashimura
If you like romcom books with an original twist, you need to read ... Please Retweet by Emily Benet
If you like your romance kooky with a hint of spooky, you need to read ... Melody Bittersweet and the Girls' Ghostbusting Agency by Kitty French
What have you read and loved this year? I'd love you to share your favourite reads in the comments!
Wednesday, 7 December 2016
Christmas Q&A with Caroline Roberts!
I'm delighted to welcome Caroline Roberts to the blog today for a Q&A session.
Hello Kate, thanks so much for featuring me and The Cosy
Christmas Teashop on your blog!
The Cosy Christmas Teashop is a follow up to
your previous novel The Cosy Teashop in the Castle. Did the fact that it's a
sequel make a difference to your writing process? How long did it take to
write?
In a way, it was easier to write as I
already had the main characters and setting in mind. But I also wanted to
freshen it all up, so I added some new characters and situations. I had fun
with it, as well as exploring the more difficult times they had to face. I felt
I knew everyone so well by the end, like the castle team had really become firm
friends.
It took me four months to write The Cosy
Christmas Teashop. A bit of a miracle as the first book took over a year. But I
had a deadline to meet, so got my head down and kept going. It was hard work,
but also fun.
2) This is your first festive novel. Do you envisage writing another in the future?
Yes, I enjoyed writing about
Christmas and all the lovely festive build up to that – Christmas markets,
craft fairs, snow, tinsel, Christmas trees, Christmas cupcakes, mince pies and
more. I’d happily write another Christmas-themed novel. In fact, I might be
working on that right now!
3) What are your favourite Christmassy reads?
3) What are your favourite Christmassy reads?
I loved Debbie Johnson’s romantic
comedy “Never Kiss a Man in a Christmas Jumper”. It was a warm and funny story, unique and
rather sexy.
And, on Christmas Eve, I
always used to read to my children “Twas the Night Before Christmas” in a fabulous
pop-up version, and we also loved The Jolly Christmas Postman.
4) What are your own plans for Christmas? Do you have any special family traditions?
I love the tradition of Christmas stockings, hanging
them up by the fire, and then them “magically” being filled – I
still have them for my grown-up children even now! And we always have a real
tree, it looks so pretty all decorated and twinkly, and you get that gorgeous
smell of pine.
On Christmas day, we have a glass of champagne around ten am (mid-parcel
opening) with cheese and ham croissants, a fresh fruit platter, or chocolate if
you fancy, after all, anything goes - it’s Christmas! Then there’s the
traditional Turkey Roast. I’m chef as I enjoy cooking, though I have to be well
prepared as after a couple of champagnes and a G&T, it can all get a bit
out of sync!
For me, Christmas is all about family and friends and having a
lovely, sociable time with some fabulous food and drink.
5) What can your readers look forward to next?
I have a summer book coming
out around April/May time. A gorgeous and poignant love story about hurt and healing and making the most of
those simple special moments in life. It’s set on beautiful Bamburgh beach in
my home county of Northumberland (one of my favourite places to walk the dog).
In fact, the family might have a wander down on the beach there on Boxing Day!
And by this time next year,
there may well be another Cosy Christmas novel! Watch this space…
Have a really lovely
Christmas everyone!
The Cosy Christmas Tea Shop is out now, published by Harper Impulse.
Tuesday, 29 November 2016
Talking As Fast As I Can - Lauren Graham blog tour
I'm one of many women out there who can relate to Lorelai Gilmore and how she says whatever's on her mind without really thinking it through. That's part of her charm.
Picking a favourite Lorelai moment for the blog tour was tricky. I could have gone for a mother/daughter moment (Lorelai's graduation left me with a lump in my throat) or her epic fangirling with Sookie at The Bangles gig despite being at the back of the venue, but I'm going with the one liner that makes me giggle every time I think of it, when Lorelai says to Rory - "Hey, maybe instead of going to college, you should drop out and I could quit my job and we can form an all-girl band with Lane, you know, like Bananarama. We could call it Tangerinarama or Banana-fana-fo-fana-rama…or something."
Why does that tickle me so much? Mostly because that sounds like a band I'd really like to be part of.
The Blurb
In this collection of personal essays, the beloved star of Gilmore Girls and Parenthood reveals stories about life, love, and working as a woman in Hollywood-along with behind-the-scenes dispatches from the set of the new Gilmore Girls, where she plays the fast-talking Lorelai Gilmore once again.
In Talking as Fast as I Can, Lauren Graham hits pause for a moment and looks back on her life, sharing laugh-out-loud stories about growing up, starting out as an actress, and, years later, sitting in her trailer on the Parenthood set and asking herself, "Did you, um, make it?" She opens up about the challenges of being single in Hollywood ("Strangers were worried about me; that's how long I was single!"), the time she was asked to audition her butt for a role, and her experience being a judge onProject Runway ("It's like I had a fashion-induced blackout").
In "What It Was Like, Part One," Graham sits down for an epic Gilmore Girls marathon and reflects on being cast as the fast-talking Lorelai Gilmore. The essay "What It Was Like, Part Two" reveals how it felt to pick up the role again nine years later, and what doing so has meant to her.
Some more things you will learn about Lauren: She once tried to go vegan just to bond with Ellen DeGeneres, she's aware that meeting guys at awards shows has its pitfalls ("If you're meeting someone for the first time after three hours of hair, makeup, and styling, you've already set the bar too high"), and she's a card-carrying REI shopper ("My bungee cords now earn points!").
Including photos and excerpts from the diary Graham kept during the filming of the recent Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, this book is like a cozy night in, catching up with your best friend, laughing and swapping stories, and-of course-talking as fast as you can.
Talking As Fast As I Can is released on December 6th in hardback and ebook formats, and available for preorder now.
Wednesday, 2 November 2016
SeQuence - Lorraine M.L.M Publication Day
Happy publication day to Lorraine M.L.M! SeQuence, the first book in her new fantasy young adult series 'The Heart of the Ocean' is out now!
The Blurb
From chaotic
voices on Earth…
Haunted by voices inside her head, seventeen-year-old
Alessia Appleton is incarcerated in a mental asylum. In her flight to sanctuary,
she’s transported to Zeneshia, a breathtaking world under the sea filled with
colourful forests and gigantic glowing moons. Here, she discovers the unique
power of her mind—and how an entire kingdom’s survival is dependent on it. As
she finds her true self, she falls irrevocably in love with Dante Erajion.
To the
tranquillity of the Kingdom under the Moons…
Determined to avenge his mother’s murder, Dante isn’t
looking for love until he meets Alessia. Together they unravel the past,
inevitably kindling the Foretold Sequence of Hearts. In a world where Sequence
takes precedence over chance, powerful forces manipulate the future and
redesign Sequences, using Alessia as an unwitting cat’s paw in the Four
Kingdoms’ Game of Sequence.
Love might not be
enough to save them…
With Alessia and Dante’s destinies intertwined, their love
is under threat…and so is the future of their people. As players of the Game
make their first move, can young love survive the ordeals of a shifting
Sequence to Life, Love, and Death?
SeQuence is AVAILABLE
NOW in paperback and E-book from all AMAZON stores
Paperback
E-book
Youtube SeQuence Book
Trailer
Thursday, 20 October 2016
Searching for a Silver Lining - Miranda Dickinson
The Blurb
It began with a promise . . .
Matilda Bell is left heartbroken when she falls out with her beloved grandfather just before he dies. Haunted by regret, she makes a promise that will soon change everything . . .
When spirited former singing star Reenie Silver enters her life, Mattie seizes the opportunity to make amends. Together, Mattie and Reenie embark on an incredible journey that will find lost friends, uncover secrets from the glamorous 1950s and put right a sixty-year wrong.
Touchingly funny, warm and life-affirming, this is a sparkling story of second chances. Perfect for fans of Cecelia Ahern, Searching for a Silver Lining will take you on a trip you'll never forget.
The Review
As a huge fan of Miranda Dickinson's writing, I was delighted to be sent an early copy of Searching for a Silver Lining to review. I always love how Miranda is able to create warm characters that I root for from the off, and Mattie Bell is yet another wonderful protagonist - I immediately took her to my heart.
Mattie is grieving for her grandfather. She throws herself headfirst into an adventure when she meets the wonderful livewire octogenarian Reenie Silver, a former starlet and performer with popular 50s band The Silver Five who were also a favourite of her grandfather 'back in the day'. What follows is a crazy quest for one last hoorah which involves amongst other things a campervan, a memorable performance of Wheatus' Teenage Dirtbag and the rather lovely club owner Gil...
This book is a reminder that age is irrelevant when there's a bond between two people, and as positive friendships/relationships across the generations is something which is still relatively unexplored in fiction it was lovely to see this portrayed so well. Reenie and Mattie were a perfect and believable duo and I was willing them on to their own happy endings. Reenie's stories were an absolute highlight of this book, she was like Tom Jones on an episode of The Voice with her continual name dropping!
I also loved how each chapter was given a 'soundtrack', a song from the 1950s that linked into the themes explored in that section of the book. It brings another element to the story and introduced me to some new tunes along the way.
Most of all Searching for a Silver Lining is heart-warming and charming and oozing with everything that makes friendship such a beautiful, beautiful gift.
I can't recommend this book highly enough. It's Miranda Dickinson's best yet.
Searching for a Silver Lining is out now in ebook and paperback format.
With thanks to Pan for providing me with a copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.
Saturday, 15 October 2016
Recently I've Read - September 2016
I'm incredibly late posting this monthly round up and that's mainly because September was a pretty fruitful month when it came to reading. It's fair to say I was looking for love in my September reads, with lots of commercial romantic fiction, but I also enjoyed a fair amount of manga too, which I'll wrote about in a separate post.
The Blurb
How many lifetimes would you travel to find a love that lasts for ever?
When single career girl Jo-Jo steps onto a zebra crossing and gets hit by a car, she awakes to find herself in 1963. The fashion, the music, her job, even her romantic life: everything is different. And then it happens three more times, and Jo-Jo finds herself living a completely new life in the 1970s, 80s and 90s. The only people she can rely on are Harry and Ellie, two companions from 2013, and George, the owner of a second-hand record store.
If she's ever to return from her travels, Jo-Jo must work out why she's jumping through time like this. And if she does make it back, will her old life ever be the same again?
My Thoughts
A great read with romance, time travel and a whole lot of Beatles references!
This was a fun and original story which had me chuckling along as protagonist Jo-Jo found herself leaping between the decades. The attention to detail in each era made this perfect for book for anyone with a nostalgic bone in their body, and I absolutely adored record shop owner George.
My first Ali McNamara book, but certainly not my last!
The Blurb
The first YA novel from bestselling author Liz Kessler, Read Me Like A Book is a brave, honest and vital coming-out story that follows one girl's exploration of love, identity and sexuality.
Ashleigh Walker is having a difficult year. She's struggling at school, and coming home to parents who are on the verge of divorce. She knows she should be happy spending time with her boyfriend - but, for some reason, being around him just makes her worry more. It's only in her English teacher, Miss Murray, that she feels she's found a kindred spirit. Miss Murray helps Ashleigh develop her writing skills and her confidence - but what happens when boundaries begin to blur? What will the repercussions be for Ashleigh? And how will she navigate her own sexuality?
My Thoughts
An engaging and relevant coming of age story which will appeal to both YA and adult readership. This was an extremely readable tale and I rooted for Ashleigh as she explored her own sexuality. There have been more LGBT+ books published again lately, and if they are all of this quality then I'm sure they'll be a welcome addition to bookshelves everywhere.
Neither girl can stop thinking about the other…but that doesn’t mean they can give up past hurts and take a chance on a future together.
My Thoughts
I adored this book! The near-misses of Tess and Gus had me hooked from the very first page. Kate Eberlen has created two characters that I genuinely cared about, with a supporting cast of interesting periphery characters to back them up. None of them were two dimensional, they were real and flawed and utterly believable.
As well as wonderfully rich characters, this book had me longing to be back in the beautiful city of Florence, encapsulating the magic of place perfectly.
I've recommended this book to everyone I know - if you love a love story (and I absolutely do) then you really must read Miss You. One of my favourite books of 2016, hands down.
Journalist Angel Blackthorne is looking for her next big scoop. When her sleazy editor asks her to use her charms on super successful – and married – film director Sebastian Wilchester for a juicy exposé, Angel thinks what the hell? There’s a staff job on the horizon, and, let’s be honest, no one can make a cheater cheat if they don’t want to, right?
After the scandal breaks, Angel tries to put the story – and Seb – behind her, but fate seems to have other ideas. A near miss at a premiere after-party and a shared love of vintage film brings the honey closer to the trap.
But what happens when pretence leads to passion, and a ‘kiss and tell’ becomes something real?
Step Back in Time - Ali McNamara
How many lifetimes would you travel to find a love that lasts for ever?
When single career girl Jo-Jo steps onto a zebra crossing and gets hit by a car, she awakes to find herself in 1963. The fashion, the music, her job, even her romantic life: everything is different. And then it happens three more times, and Jo-Jo finds herself living a completely new life in the 1970s, 80s and 90s. The only people she can rely on are Harry and Ellie, two companions from 2013, and George, the owner of a second-hand record store.
If she's ever to return from her travels, Jo-Jo must work out why she's jumping through time like this. And if she does make it back, will her old life ever be the same again?
My Thoughts
A great read with romance, time travel and a whole lot of Beatles references!
This was a fun and original story which had me chuckling along as protagonist Jo-Jo found herself leaping between the decades. The attention to detail in each era made this perfect for book for anyone with a nostalgic bone in their body, and I absolutely adored record shop owner George.
My first Ali McNamara book, but certainly not my last!
Read Me Like a Book - Liz Kessler
The Blurb
The first YA novel from bestselling author Liz Kessler, Read Me Like A Book is a brave, honest and vital coming-out story that follows one girl's exploration of love, identity and sexuality.
Ashleigh Walker is having a difficult year. She's struggling at school, and coming home to parents who are on the verge of divorce. She knows she should be happy spending time with her boyfriend - but, for some reason, being around him just makes her worry more. It's only in her English teacher, Miss Murray, that she feels she's found a kindred spirit. Miss Murray helps Ashleigh develop her writing skills and her confidence - but what happens when boundaries begin to blur? What will the repercussions be for Ashleigh? And how will she navigate her own sexuality?
My Thoughts
An engaging and relevant coming of age story which will appeal to both YA and adult readership. This was an extremely readable tale and I rooted for Ashleigh as she explored her own sexuality. There have been more LGBT+ books published again lately, and if they are all of this quality then I'm sure they'll be a welcome addition to bookshelves everywhere.
Milkshakes and Heartbreaks at the Starlight Diner - Helen Cox
The Blurb
Esther Knight is sharp, sarcastic – and hiding something. She waitresses at The Starlight Diner: a retro eatery where Fifties tunes stream out of the jukebox long into the night, and the tastiest milkshakes in New York are served.
Nobody at the diner knows why Esther left London for America – or why she repeatedly resists the charms of their newest regular, actor Jack Faber.
Esther is desperate to start a new life in the land of the free, but despite the warm welcome from the close-knit diner crowd, something from her past is holding her back. Can she ever learn to love and live again?
Milkshakes and Heartbreaks at the Starlight Diner is a witty, romantic, New York-inspired novel.
My Thoughts
I really enjoyed Milkshakes and Heartbreaks at the Starlight Diner. The cover and the blurb and mainly cheery and uplifting, but don't be fooled, this isn't all ice cream sundaes and eggs sunny side up. Esther is a far more enigmatic character than that.
I loved how this book tackled some darker plot lines whilst still having a warm humour to add a delightful balance to the novel.
This is the first book in a series and I'm very much looking forward to the next. Service please!
Keeping Her Secret - Sarah Nicholas
The Blurb
The last person Riya Johnson expected to run into at her new summer camp is Courtney Chastain—her childhood best friend and the girl who broke her heart after a secret, mind-blowing, life-altering kiss. She definitely didn’t expect to be sharing a bunk bed with her for four long weeks.
Courtney has what every girl wants—she’s beautiful, rich, and the object of every boy’s desire at Camp Pine Ridge. Too bad none of them make her feel an iota of what Riya’s kiss did all those years ago. But Courtney needs to uphold appearances at all costs—even if it means instigating an all-out prank war with Riya as her main target. Neither girl can stop thinking about the other…but that doesn’t mean they can give up past hurts and take a chance on a future together.
My Thoughts
Riya and Courtney used to be friends. Then they kissed and everything changed. Now their paths have crossed at camp and it's time to assess if they are friends or if there's something more between them...
Full of angst, camp pranks and f/f romance, this is a cute book from Entangled, but I'd have liked more of the romance and 'aww' of the later sections earlier on.
Full of angst, camp pranks and f/f romance, this is a cute book from Entangled, but I'd have liked more of the romance and 'aww' of the later sections earlier on.
Miss You - Kate Eberlen
The Blurb
Tess and Gus are meant to be. They just haven't met properly yet. And perhaps they never will . . .
Today is the first day of the rest of your life is the motto on a plate in the kitchen at home, and Tess can't get it out of her head, even though she's in Florence for a final, idyllic holiday before university. Her life is about to change forever - but not in the way she expects.
Gus and his parents are also on holiday in Florence. Their lives have already changed suddenly and dramatically. Gus tries to be a dutiful son, but longs to escape and discover what sort of person he is going to be.
For one day, the paths of an eighteen-year-old girl and boy criss-cross before they each return to England.
Over the course of the next sixteen years, life and love will offer them very different challenges. Separated by distance and fate, there's no way the two of them are ever going to meet each other properly . . . or is there?
Today is the first day of the rest of your life is the motto on a plate in the kitchen at home, and Tess can't get it out of her head, even though she's in Florence for a final, idyllic holiday before university. Her life is about to change forever - but not in the way she expects.
Gus and his parents are also on holiday in Florence. Their lives have already changed suddenly and dramatically. Gus tries to be a dutiful son, but longs to escape and discover what sort of person he is going to be.
For one day, the paths of an eighteen-year-old girl and boy criss-cross before they each return to England.
Over the course of the next sixteen years, life and love will offer them very different challenges. Separated by distance and fate, there's no way the two of them are ever going to meet each other properly . . . or is there?
My Thoughts
I adored this book! The near-misses of Tess and Gus had me hooked from the very first page. Kate Eberlen has created two characters that I genuinely cared about, with a supporting cast of interesting periphery characters to back them up. None of them were two dimensional, they were real and flawed and utterly believable.
As well as wonderfully rich characters, this book had me longing to be back in the beautiful city of Florence, encapsulating the magic of place perfectly.
I've recommended this book to everyone I know - if you love a love story (and I absolutely do) then you really must read Miss You. One of my favourite books of 2016, hands down.
The Honey Trap - Mary Jayne Baker
The Blurb
The trap is set – but which one of them is the bait?Journalist Angel Blackthorne is looking for her next big scoop. When her sleazy editor asks her to use her charms on super successful – and married – film director Sebastian Wilchester for a juicy exposé, Angel thinks what the hell? There’s a staff job on the horizon, and, let’s be honest, no one can make a cheater cheat if they don’t want to, right?
After the scandal breaks, Angel tries to put the story – and Seb – behind her, but fate seems to have other ideas. A near miss at a premiere after-party and a shared love of vintage film brings the honey closer to the trap.
But what happens when pretence leads to passion, and a ‘kiss and tell’ becomes something real?
My Thoughts
Fun, flirty and at points downright filthy, The Honey Trap is the story of Angel, who works for a tabloid newspaper, and big name film producer Seb. When Angel's boss asks her to act as a 'honey trap' in order to get compromising photos and a sensationalist headline, sparks begin to fly between the two of them...
What I loved most about this was the balance between humour and sexiness - it was a red hot read in places! There were also tender moments and little twists which made me eager to keep reading. Although to be honest I fell a little bit in love with Seb along the way too, and once I love a hero I'm always hooked. If this book is anything to go by Mary Jayne Baker definitely knows how to write a delicious male lead! I'm looking forward to what's to come next from this debut author.
If you've loved the balance of wit and sex in Debbie Johnson's books, you'll adore this one.
What I loved most about this was the balance between humour and sexiness - it was a red hot read in places! There were also tender moments and little twists which made me eager to keep reading. Although to be honest I fell a little bit in love with Seb along the way too, and once I love a hero I'm always hooked. If this book is anything to go by Mary Jayne Baker definitely knows how to write a delicious male lead! I'm looking forward to what's to come next from this debut author.
If you've loved the balance of wit and sex in Debbie Johnson's books, you'll adore this one.
The One with the Wedding Dress - Erin Lawless
The Blurb
For fans of romantic comedies like Bridesmaids and Four Weddings & a Funeral, and bestselling authors Mhairi McFarlane and Jenny Oliver, this is a hilarious new romantic comedy series about one bride and her four best friends.
My thoughts
Following on from The One with the Engagement Party, The One with the Wedding Dress reintroduces bride to be Nora and her flock of bridesmaids as they head to the Cotswolds in search of the perfect wedding day attire. Of course, in true romcom fashion there are hitches along the way and that combined with the wit and pun-tastic humour I've come to expect from Erin Lawless makes for a fun second instalment of the Bridesmaids series.
I love books that are centred around a group of friends and these girls have totally captured my heart - I can't help noticing flickers of my own pals in their character traits and I'm wondering which of the wedding party I myself have most in common with!
I'm loving watching these characters develop and can't wait to find out what happens in part three!
I love books that are centred around a group of friends and these girls have totally captured my heart - I can't help noticing flickers of my own pals in their character traits and I'm wondering which of the wedding party I myself have most in common with!
I'm loving watching these characters develop and can't wait to find out what happens in part three!
Saturday, 8 October 2016
My Month in Manga - September 2016
Ooops. This post is rather late this month...so without further ado, here's a quick look at the manga I read during September.
Fall in Love Like a Comic vol.1 - Chitose Yagami
The Blurb
Rena Sakura is a high school student with a secret: she's a professional mangaka. And although she's never been on a date, that doesn't stop her from drawing steamy shojo scenes for Chami magazine. But when the gorgeous Tomoya Okita finds out her secret, she finds herself asking him out to get some real-life experience in love!
Rena asks Tomoya to be her boyfriend, hoping that gaining some experience in dating will help her improve her manga. Rena is positive that Tomoya is only dating her to help her out, but that doesn't stop her from falling in love...
My Thoughts
This was a fun shojo manga following the well-used manga theme of a mangaka living out her life through her art. This was an easy read and I enjoyed it for what it was, but I'm not in a hurry to find out what happens next so don't think I'll be reading the rest of the series any time soon.
Citrus vol. 1 - Saburo Uta
The Blurb
Yuzuko Aihara, a high school girl whose main interests are fashion, friends and having fun, is about to get a reality check. Due to her mom's remarriage, Yuzu has transferred to a new, all-girls school that is extremely strict. Her real education is about to begin. From Day One, happy-go-lucky Yuzu makes enemies, namely the beautiful yet stern Student Council President Mei. So what happens when a dejected Yuzu returns home and discovers the shock of her life: that Mei is actually her new step-sister who has come to live with her? Even more surprising, when Mei catches Yuzu off-guard and kisses her out of the blue, what does it all mean?
My Thoughts
Two girls who find themselves as step-sisters are unsure of their relationship. That's pretty much the whole plot. The art in this book is exquisite, and the quality of the book itself was excellent and included some glossy colour pages at the front. It's just a shame the story let this one down for me - I'm not sure whether or not I'll read volume 2.
We Were There - Yuuki Obata
The Blurb
Nanami Takahashi falls for Motoharu Yano, the most popular, carefree boy in class. For Nanami, it's first love, but Yano is still grieving the death of his girlfriend who died the year before.
Nanami starts high school with high hopes of making lots of friends. She develops a crush on the enigmatic Yano, but he may have too many secrets for her to handle.
Nanami starts high school with high hopes of making lots of friends. She develops a crush on the enigmatic Yano, but he may have too many secrets for her to handle.
Nanami Takahashi falls for Motoharu Yano, the most popular, carefree boy in class. For Nanami, it's first love, but Yano is still grieving the death of his girlfriend who died the year before.
My Thoughts
There was a bit at the beginning of this book where I thought I'd be putting it down and not picking it back up (when Nanami is grabbed by the throat - I found this incredibly disturbing). That said, for an angsty will they/won't they romance it held my attention, and I found the art visually appealing. This is an old manga now, and I was given this by a friend who found it in a charity shop, but I'll probably try to get hold of the next instalment to find out what happens next.
Sunday, 4 September 2016
My Month in Manga - August
I've not been reading as much manga lately, but I've been introduced to some new mangaka.
I read part 1 of Idol Dreams, a manga with echoes of Big where 31 year old virgin Chikage wishes she could go back to her teens. When her wish comes true, she finds herself thrust into a world of fame and sharing her first kiss with a teen idol.
I liked Tanemura's art style and found this an easy, entertaining read - I'll definitely be continuing this series.
This f/f manga collection is set at Sakuraki High, an all girls' school and follows the relationships of the pupils and staff based there. Nana and Hitomi's relationship is the main focus of the collection, and in many ways I felt the other couples were surplus to requirements. I loved the bond between the two girls and especially that it had the ups and downs of any partnership. Full of angst, romance and emotional turmoil, I couldn't read this book fast enough!
Milk Morinaga's art is absolutely beautiful and exactly the style I find most visually appealing. I will definitely be looking out for more of her manga.
Idol Dreams #1
I liked Tanemura's art style and found this an easy, entertaining read - I'll definitely be continuing this series.
Kisses, Sighs and Cherry Blossom Pink
This f/f manga collection is set at Sakuraki High, an all girls' school and follows the relationships of the pupils and staff based there. Nana and Hitomi's relationship is the main focus of the collection, and in many ways I felt the other couples were surplus to requirements. I loved the bond between the two girls and especially that it had the ups and downs of any partnership. Full of angst, romance and emotional turmoil, I couldn't read this book fast enough!
Milk Morinaga's art is absolutely beautiful and exactly the style I find most visually appealing. I will definitely be looking out for more of her manga.
Saturday, 3 September 2016
Recently I've Read - August 2016
Searching for a Silver Lining - Miranda Dickinson
It began with a promise . . .
Matilda Bell is left heartbroken when she falls out with her beloved grandfather just before he dies. Haunted by regret, she makes a promise that will soon change everything . . .
When spirited former singing star Reenie Silver enters her life, Mattie seizes the opportunity to make amends. Together, Mattie and Reenie embark on an incredible journey that will find lost friends, uncover secrets from the glamorous 1950s and put right a sixty-year wrong.
Touchingly funny, warm and life-affirming, this is a sparkling story of second chances. Perfect for fans of Cecelia Ahern, Searching for a Silver Lining will take you on a trip you'll never forget.
My review of this book will be posted on publication day on October 20th...but I loved it!
Aimee and the Heartthrob - Ophelia London
The Blurb
This Entangled Teen Crush book contains references to drug use, drinking, some sexual content, and lots and lots of kissing. Its swoonworthy hero may ruin all others for you. He never noticed her before, but now she's all he can see…
Miles Carlisle is every teen girl’s fantasy. His rugged good looks and exotic British accent have helped catapult his boy band, Seconds to Juliet, to super-stardom. But after two disastrous and very public breakups, Miles isn’t interested in dating just any girl; he wants The One. And the only girl he’s interested in is not only his best friend’s little sister - and off-limits - but won’t even give him the time of day…
As a kid, Aimee Bingham had a huge thing for Miles…until he made fun of her for always tagging along. Now that she’s outgrown both him and her pigtails, the prospect of spending two weeks on tour with the childhood crush who broke her heart isn’t exactly enticing. Except now Miles seems interested. Very interested. And no matter how hard Aimee tries to resist him, her crush is definitely making a comeback.
But everyone knows that falling for a heartthrob is a backstage pass to heartbreak…
I blogged about this book in my post #Boybandlit which you can find here.
#PleaseRetweet - Emily Benet
Social media whizz kid, May Sparks has landed her dream job. Well, not quite, but the salary is great and all May has to do is handle the online profiles of C – list celebrities who have the tendency to say inappropriate things. Easy, right? #wrong
May’s clients include an ex big brother star (who she's definitely not going to sleep with #neversaynever), a disgraced TV presenter (who wants May to sort out his marriage as well as his Twitter account), and a woman who once flashed her boobs on X-factor. They're all relying on her to turn them into stars. But they're not going to make her job easy.
Sucked in to her virtual world, May loses grip on her real life. Friendships suffer and romance looks increasingly unlikely. If she doesn't log off soon, will there be any one real left?
I read this book as part of the #SummerImpulse reading challenge. You can read my full review of it here.
A Library of Lemons - Jo Cotterill
The Blurb
A poignant story about dealing with grief through the magic of reading and friendship.
Calypso's mum died a few years ago and her emotionally incompetent Dad can't, or won't, talk about Mum at all. Instead he throws himself into writing his book A History of the Lemon. Meanwhile the house is dusty, there's never any food in the fridge, and Calypso retreats into her own world of books and fiction.
When a new girl, Mae, arrives at school, the girls' shared love of reading and writing stories draws them together. Mae's friendship and her lively and chaotic home - where people argue and hug each other - make Calypso feel more normal than she has for a long time. But when Calypso finally plucks up the courage to invite Mae over to her own house, the girls discover the truth about her dad and his magnum opus - and Calypso's happiness starts to unravel.
My review of A Library of Lemons will be online soon.
Idol Dreams - Arina Tanemura*
The Blurb
At age 31, office worker Chikage Deguchi feels she missed her chances at love and success. When word gets out that she's a virgin, Chikage is humiliated and wishes she could turn back time to when she was still young and popular. She takes an experimental drug that changes her appearance back to when she was 15. Now Chikage is determined to pursue everything she missed out on all those years ago--including becoming a star!
For teen audiences.
You can read my thoughts on Idol Dreams in my post My Month in Manga - August, coming soon.
What have you been reading recently? I'd love to know!
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